Carpet installation system for use in an aircraft

ABSTRACT

For use in an aircraft, a carpet installation system comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending extrusions, having laterally extending flange means, is provided for retaining the carpets so that the carpets may be readily removed for cleaning or replacement.

nited States atent Kelly [451 Oct. 10, 1972 [54] CARPET INSTALLATIONSYSTEM FOR USE IN AN AIRCRAFT [72] Inventor: Robert G. Kelly, 96University Heights Drive, Stony Brook, NY. 11790 [22] Filed: July28,1969

[21] Appl. No.: 845,289

[52] US. Cl ..16/16 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47g 27/04 [58] Field of Search...16/l6, 4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,543,326 12/1970Rohrbergetal ..16/16 2,796,624 6/1957 Speer ..16/16 2,996,751 8/1961Roby et a1. 16/16 3,254,361 6/1966 Brunn et al ..16/16 PrimaryExaminerBobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Doris L. TroutmanAttorney-Leonard H. King ABSTRACT For use in an aircraft, a carpetinstallation system comprising a plurality of longitudinally extendingextrusions, having laterally extending flange means, is provided forretaining the carpets so that the carpets may be readily removed forcleaning or replacement.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures CARPET INSTALLATION SYSTEM FOR USE IN ANAIRCRAFT This invention relates generally to carpet retaining means andmore particularly to a system for removably retaining strips ofcarpeting in an aircraft cabin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Commercial aircraft of the type presently inuse generally provide floor covering such as carpeting in the passengercompartment of the aircraft. Particular problems are involved in the useof carpeting in an aircraft in that, in addition to heavy pedestriantraffic, provision must be made for periodically removing the carpetfrom the passenger compartmentwhen cleaning or replacement thereof isrequired. Speed in removing and replacing the carpet is essential sincevaluable revenue is lost when the aircraft is out of service.

One well-known commercial airline requires replacement of the entirecarpeting in each of its aircraft on the average of once a month. Wherea highgrade quality wool carpeting is used the frequent washing resultsin shrinkage that makes it difficult, if not impossible, to reinstallthe carpeting. This would necessarily create an unnecessary expense inmany instances where only particular strips of more heavily trafficeclcarpeting may be washed.

Presently, installation of carpeting in aircraft is achieved with adouble surfaced adhesive tape, that is, one surface of the tape isadhered to the deck while the other surface of the tape is adapted toadhesively retain the underside of the carpeting. It will be readilyappreciated that this form of installation is relatively expensive andfurthermore, can frequently result in an imperfect installation of thecarpeting. Because the tape must necessarily have good adhesionqualities in order to securely retain the carpet, it is difficult tostretch the carpet such as by kicking" once the carpet has been toucheddown on the adhesive. Further, with each monthly carpet installation itwould be necessary to reapply the adhesive strips. It will be evidentthat the foregoing problems will be multiplied in the very near futurewhen the extremely large jet airlines come into use. The new aircraftcan carry between three and four hundred people. Accordingly, thecarpeting will be abused to a much greater extent and therefore evenmore carpeting will have to be replaced more frequently. In order tooperate the aircraft economically, however, a minimum of time can beallowed for the aircraft to be out of service. For this reason meansmust be provided for removing a reinstalling a carpet in the mostexpeditious manner. The present invention provides just such means, aswill be described hereinafter.

ln its broadest aspect the present invention provides a system thatincludes a plurality of extruded strips extending longitudinally in thepassenger compartment of the aircraft. Certain ones of the strips areused along the outboard edges of the deck. Still other strips includedwithin the systems are used in the area or areas of the seats. Thecenter or aisle carpets are retained by still further strips and thetransverse ends of the narrow lengths of carpet are secured by saddlesextending transversely in the passenger compartment. The presentinvention teaches the use of either one or both of two differentsaddles, one of which is adapted to retain both a permanent carpet and aremovable carpet; whereas the other one of the saddles is adapted toretain adjacent edges of two removable carpets.

The present invention is particularly characterized by the absence ofany means to fasten the carpet to the longitudinally extendingextrusions. A tackless carpet strip secures the ends of the carpetlengths to the saddles. Since the bulk of the movement of the carpetwill be in the fore and aft directions, only the transverse ends need begripped by conventional means. There will normally be very littlelateral movement so that the stiffness of the relatively narrow stripsof carpeting can be relied on to keep them in the longitudinalreceptacles that will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Thisarrangement permits longitudinal insertion and removal of the carpetstrips.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved system for installing carpet in an aircraft.

It is another object of this invention to provide a carpet installationsystem for an aircraft wherein different longitudinally extending stripsare used to releasably retain relatively narrow widths of carpetingalong the longitudinal edges thereof.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a carpetinstallation system as described above wherein the narrow widths ofcarpeting are readily removable by sliding them out of longitudinallydisposed retaining means.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a carpetinstallation system for aircraft, as described above, wherein the carpetretaining strips are formed by an extrusion process.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a carpetinstallation system for aircraft utilizing carpet retaining stripsextruded from plastic.

An advantage of the present invention is that the narrow widths ofcarpeting used in an aircraft passenger compartment are readilyremovable on an individual basis. A feature of this invention is thatthe aircraft carpet installation system is readily adaptable to a widevariety of aircraft passenger compartment configurations.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will,in part, be pointed out with particularity and will, in part, becomeobvious from the following more detailed description of the invention,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which forms anintegral part thereof.

In the various figures of the drawing, like reference charactersdesignate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING ing the relationship of the componentsof the present invention with respect to each other and with respect tothe interior side walls of the passenger compartment;

FIG. 3 is a sectional, transverse perspective elevational viewillustrating one of the components comprising the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective transverse sectional view in elevation ofanother compartment comprising the system of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective transverse sectional view in elevationillustrating still another component comprising the carpet installationsystem of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective transverse elevational view in sectionillustrating one embodiment of a saddle that may be used as a transitionpiece between a permanent carpet and a removable carpet; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective elevational view in section, similar to FIG. 6but illustrating a form of one of the components of this invention thatmay be utilized as a transition piece between two removable carpets.

Before discussing the structure of the present invention it would bewell to define some of the terms that will be used hereinafter. Exceptfor the saddle components the remainder of the elements will bedescribed as extending longitudinally and with flanges that extend bothlongitudinally and laterally. These directions are taken with respect tothe longitudinal axis of the aircraft. That is, with the exception ofthe saddles, the remainder of the components run fore and aft, generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and the flanges extendlongitudinally as well as transversely thereof or in the direction ofthe port or starboard sides of the aircraft.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a passenger compartment ofa typical commercial airliner. There is provided a center aisle in thisparticular aircraft on each'side of which are rows of seats. In someaircraft there may be two seats on one side and three on the otheror,there may be three on each side of the center aisle. The exactconfiguration of the new largesize aircraft will, of course, bedifferent and conceivably there may be more than one aisle if theseating is, for example, eight abreast. The present invention providesextrusion means for retaining the two longitudinal edges of the centeraisle or aisles. In addition, extrusion means are provided for thelongitudinal edges of the narrow strips of carpeting that run from foreto aft under the seats. Still other extrusion means are provided by thepresent invention to retain the outside edges of the port and starboardstrips of carpeting.

As shown particularly in FIG. 2, a first extrusion 10 is provided on theport and starboard sides of the aircraft. Immediately inward thereof,and depending upon the number of seats abreast, one or more of a secondtype of extrusion 12 is provided longitudinally in the passengercompartment. A third type of extrusion 14 is provided longitudinally inthe passenger compartment to retain the elongated side edges of thecenter strip of carpeting. Finally, the transverse ends of each of thestrips of carpeting are finished offwith a saddle type extrusion 16, oneembodiment of which is shown in FIG. 6.

It will be seen in FIG. 3 that the port and starboard extrusions 10 arecomprised of a base portion and a top flange 22 joined to the baseportion at junction 24. While both the base 20 and the flange 22 extendlongitudinally in the passenger compartment, they are also laterallydisposed with respect to the side walls of the passenger compartment. Areceptacle 26 is defined by opposed surfaces of the base 20 and theflange 22 for the outboard longitudinal edges of the carpet stripslabeled A, A in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates in perspective cross-section the extruded member 12that is to be used to retain the narrow width of carpets B, B thatextends longitudinally in the passenger compartment underneath theseats. The member 12 is comprised of longitudinally and laterallyextending lower bases 30a and 30b and longitudinally and laterallyextending upper flanges 32a and 32b. The upper and lower bases andflanges are spaced vertically from each other by means of a pair oflongitudinally extending posts 34a and 34b so that receptacles 36a and36b are defined therebetween to receive the longitudinal edges of thenarrow widths of carpeting B, B and C, C that extend under the seats.The bases 30a and 30b are adapted to rest or be seated on the deck ofthe passenger compartment and the upper flanges 32a and 32b arepreferably formed as a continuous member.

The posts 34a and 34b are also provided with downward extensions 38a and38b that include longitudinally extending ribs 40a and 40b,respectively. The downward extensions 38a and 38b and the ribs 40a and40b thereon are adapted to be received in appropriately sized, shapedand located recesses or seat tracks that extend longitudinally in theaircraft deck (not shown). The construction of the lower portion ofmembers 12 permit their rapid insertion and removal in the seat trackswhenever it is required.

The center aisle carpet D, as well as the inboard edge of the inboardstrips of carpeting C, C beneath the seats is retained by an extrudedmember 14. This member is shown in more detail in FIG. 5. The member 14is comprised of a longitudinally and laterally extending base 50 adaptedto be seated on the deck of the passenger compartment and alongitudinally and laterally extending upper flange 52 spaced from thebase 50 by means of a post 54 that extends longitudinally in thepassenger compartment. Receptacles 56a and 56b for the carpet edges aredefined by the confronting surface of the base 50, the upper flange 52and the longitudinal post 54. The receptacles 56a and 56b are adapted toretain the longitudinal edges of the carpet strips labeled C, C and D inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The transverse ends of the longitudinal strips of carpeting are finishedoff by extruded transverse saddle assemblies, such as a saddle 16 shownin FIG. 6. The saddle 16 is comprised of a first extruded member 60having a longitudinally and laterally extending base portion 62 that isadapted to be suitably secured to the deck of the passenger compartment.A rib 64 is spaced upwardly from the base section 62 and runs in alongitudinal direction. In the embodiment illustrated, the rib 64defines, in cross-section, almost a complete circle and is spaced fromthe base portion 62 by a post 66.

The saddle 16 further includes an extruded top member comprised of adownwardly opened recess 72 that is sized and shaped so as to removablyengage the rib 64 of the first saddle member 60. The top member 70further includes a single lateral flange 74 having an upwardly turnedlip 76 at the outer or free end thereof, the flange 74 being adapted toseat on the base portion 62 in the assembled condition. A top flangecomprised of longitudinally and laterally extending portions 78a and 78bcomplete the upper member 70. Receptacles 80a and 80b are defined byconfronting surfaces of the upper and lower members 70 and 60,respectively, and as will be explained in more detail hereinafter,permits the members 16 to be used as a transition piece between apermanent carpet and removable carpet.

An alternative embodiment of the saddle is shown in FIG. 7. Saddle 100is comprised of a base member which includes laterally andlongitudinally extending flanges 102a and l02b that are adapted to besecured to the deck of the passenger compartment. A centrally locatedpost 104 extends upwardly from the flanges 102a and 102b and supports arib 106 that is substantially circular in cross-section. The upperportion 110 of the saddle 100 is comprised of a pair of laterally andlongitudinally extending flanges 1 12a and 1 12b each of which has anupwardly extending lip 114a and 114b at the free end thereof. Adownwardly opened recess or socket l 16 that is adapted to removablyengage the rib 106 is provided intermediate the flanges 112a and l12b.The upper member 110 also includes laterally and longitudinallyextending flanges 118a and 1l8b that are spaced from the flanges 112aand 112b to define receptacles 120a and 120b which in this embodimentare adapted to receive the edges of two removable pieces of carpet.

Turning now once again to FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be seen that aperforated metal strip 130 is positioned in each of the receptacles 80b,120a and l20b. The purpose of this strip 130 is to provide theconventional trackless carpeting. The strip 130 is comprised of a firstleg 132 adapted to rest on the base members 62, 112a and 1 12b of thesaddles l6 and 100, respectively, and to be contained by the lips 76,1140 and ll4b. The strips 130 are further provided with upwardlyextending projections 144 and a second leg 136 extending the lengththereof. The transverse end edges of the strips of carpet abut thesecond leg 136 and the backing of the carpet strips is gripped by theprojections 134.

Thus, it will be seen that the extrusions 10, 12 and 14 arecharacterized by the absence of conventional carpet gripping means andthat the carpet strips A, A, B, B, C, C and D, D, may be slidablyinserted and are slidably removable from the receptacles 26, 36a, 36b,56a and 56b, provided in extrusions 10, 12 and 14, respectively.Further, it will be noted that extrusions l0, l4, l6 and 100 are adaptedto be fastened, either permanently or removably, by suitable fastenersto the deck of the passenger compartment by driving the fastenersthrough the base members of the respective extrusions. However,extrusion 12 is snapped into a suitably sized and shaped track or tracksformed longitudinally in the deck of the passenger compartment.

It will therefore be appreciated that the long and relatively narrowstrips of carpeting that heretofore have been difiicult to install andremove may now be slipped into and removed from the receptacles fonnedin the elongated, longitudinally extending extrusions described above.The transverse saddle members provide means for grippingly retaining theends of the carpet strips and also provide means for the conventionalkicking of the carpet in order to minimize wrinkles and the like. Thus,installation of carpeting on commercial airliners has been substantiallysimplified and the cost thereof reduced.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the inventionpresently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that variouschanges and modifications may be made for those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

at I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A carpet installation system for use in the passenger compartment ofan aircraft, said system comprising:

a. a plurality of longitudinally extending extrusion means adapted to bemounted on the deck of the passenger compartment;

b. receptacle means extending longitudinally and laterally in each saidextrusion means, said receptacle means being characterized by theabsence of conventional carpet retaining means and adapted to receivethe longitudinal edges of the carpet; and

. extruded saddle means adapted to be transversely mounted on the deckof the passenger compartment; and said saddle means comprising anassembly including a base member adapted to be mounted on the deck ofthe passenger compartment, first coupling means integral with andextending upwardly from said base member, a longitudinal top flangeincluding integral second coupling means releasably engaged with saidfirst coupling means, a longitudinal bottom flange integral with andspaced downwardly from said top flange and extending in a lateraldirection away from said first and second coupling means to define firstreceptacle means; and a first carpet gripping member positioned in saidfirst receptacle 'means.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said top flangeincludes a second longitudinal bottom flange integral with and spaceddownwardly from said top flange and extending in a lateral directionaway from said first and second coupling means and said first bottomflange to define second receptacle means and second carpet grippingmeans positioned in said second receptacle means.

1. A carpet installation system for use in the passenger compartment ofan aircraft, said system comprising: a. a plurality of longitudinallyextending extrusion means adapted to be mounted on the deck of thepassenger compartment; b. receptacle means extending longitudinally andlaterally in each said extrusion means, said receptacle means beingcharacterized by the absence of conventional carpet retaining means andadapted to receive the longitudinal edges of the carpet; and c. extrudedsaddle means adapted to be transversely mounted on the deck of thepassenger compartment; and said saddle means comprising an assemblyincluding a base member adapted to be mounted on the deck of thepassenger compartment, first coupling means integral with and extendingupwardly from said base member, a longitudinal top flange includingintegral second coupling means releasably engaged with said firstcoupling means, a longitudinal bottom flange integral with and spaceddownwardly from said top flange and extending in a lateral directionaway from said first and second coupling means to define firstreceptacle means; and a first carpet gripping member positioned in saidfirst receptacle means.
 2. The system in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid top flange includes a second longitudinal bottom flange integralwith and spaced downwardly from said top flange and extending in alateral direction away from said first and second coupling means andsaid first bottom flange to define second receptacle means and secondcarpet gripping means positioned in said second receptacle means.